Verses From Section 63 Which Refer to a Separation
The verses in this post are from Doctrine and Covenants section 63.
Verse 34 has the focal point, "the saints also shall hardly escape."
34 And the saints also shall hardly escape; nevertheless, I, the Lord, am with them, and will come down in heaven from the presence of my Father and consume the wicked with unquenchable fire.
Verse 34 seems to indicate a quick flight, with little notice of preparation. The words "hardly escape" could just as easily been stated as "barely escape." However there are some other possible meanings of "hardly" in the 1830 Webster's Dictionary, http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/hardly.
Basically "hardly escape" could have a couple of meanings. First, would be those who manage to flee before things get really bad. Second, "hardly" could imply an escape that might be "grudgingly, or severely, or unfavorably, or oppressively, or rigorously, or harshly, or roughly, or unwelcome. The various possibilities of the second type of flight would imply those who escape after conditions have badly deteriorated, which would make the escape very difficult, harsh, severe, rough, or oppressive. It might be that those who escape do not really want to--it's an unwelcome option--but they prefer that to what they are escaping from.
Verse 37 is interesting in that every man should "declare both by word and by flight." Why is the word "flight" there? Seems to indicate fleeing from something, and it is most likely referring to fleeing from the coming desolation. So, it could refer to first lifting up the voice of warning, teaching and preaching by word. Then, it could be that the faithful will flee before desolation comes, which would be another warning to those who remain.
37 And that every man should take righteousness in his hands and faithfulness upon his loins, and lift a warning voice unto the inhabitants of the earth; and declare both by word and by flight that desolation shall come upon the wicked.
Until "the day of the coming of the Son of Man" (verse 53), it will be difficult to identify the foolish from the wise. In the case of the parable of the virgins, all the virgins probably looked similar. The difference was in the moment that preparedness was required. And this would be both physical and spiritual preparedness.
54 And until that hour there will be foolish virgins among the wise; and at that hour cometh an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked; and in that day will I send mine angels to pluck out the wicked and cast them into unquenchable fire.
Note that in verse 54 it doesn't say that at the same time the Second Coming occurs, but the "entire separation of the righteous and the wicked" will take place in that hour. Meaning, when the "entire separation" occurs, the Second Coming is not immediately, but within a short time following.
At the present time, the righteous and wicked are mostly mingled together. It is difficult to tell the foolish from the wise just by looking at them. Most people cannot tell a faithful Christian from the wicked person if both walked down the street together.
But, there will be a literal separation. And the easiest way to separate the good from the bad is for the Lord to ask the good to leave. Those who will listen to the voice of the Lord will leave. The wicked, foolish, and not-so-faithful will laugh, mock, ignore, or justify why leaving is a bad idea.
If members of the church want the Lord to guide them, and to be apart of the separation--which is coming--repentance is key.
63 Wherefore, let the church repent of their sins, and I, the Lord, will own them; otherwise they shall be cut off.
Verse 64 is very relevant because there are so many who complain about those who share some, but not all, of their dreams, visions, or spiritual experiences. Most of those who share dreams and visions do so carefully, and try to seek the guidance of the Spirit before sharing anything.
64 Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit; and in this there is no condemnation, and ye receive the Spirit through prayer; wherefore, without this there remaineth condemnation.
Verse 34 has the focal point, "the saints also shall hardly escape."
34 And the saints also shall hardly escape; nevertheless, I, the Lord, am with them, and will come down in heaven from the presence of my Father and consume the wicked with unquenchable fire.
Verse 34 seems to indicate a quick flight, with little notice of preparation. The words "hardly escape" could just as easily been stated as "barely escape." However there are some other possible meanings of "hardly" in the 1830 Webster's Dictionary, http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/hardly.
Basically "hardly escape" could have a couple of meanings. First, would be those who manage to flee before things get really bad. Second, "hardly" could imply an escape that might be "grudgingly, or severely, or unfavorably, or oppressively, or rigorously, or harshly, or roughly, or unwelcome. The various possibilities of the second type of flight would imply those who escape after conditions have badly deteriorated, which would make the escape very difficult, harsh, severe, rough, or oppressive. It might be that those who escape do not really want to--it's an unwelcome option--but they prefer that to what they are escaping from.
Verse 37 is interesting in that every man should "declare both by word and by flight." Why is the word "flight" there? Seems to indicate fleeing from something, and it is most likely referring to fleeing from the coming desolation. So, it could refer to first lifting up the voice of warning, teaching and preaching by word. Then, it could be that the faithful will flee before desolation comes, which would be another warning to those who remain.
37 And that every man should take righteousness in his hands and faithfulness upon his loins, and lift a warning voice unto the inhabitants of the earth; and declare both by word and by flight that desolation shall come upon the wicked.
Until "the day of the coming of the Son of Man" (verse 53), it will be difficult to identify the foolish from the wise. In the case of the parable of the virgins, all the virgins probably looked similar. The difference was in the moment that preparedness was required. And this would be both physical and spiritual preparedness.
54 And until that hour there will be foolish virgins among the wise; and at that hour cometh an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked; and in that day will I send mine angels to pluck out the wicked and cast them into unquenchable fire.
Note that in verse 54 it doesn't say that at the same time the Second Coming occurs, but the "entire separation of the righteous and the wicked" will take place in that hour. Meaning, when the "entire separation" occurs, the Second Coming is not immediately, but within a short time following.
At the present time, the righteous and wicked are mostly mingled together. It is difficult to tell the foolish from the wise just by looking at them. Most people cannot tell a faithful Christian from the wicked person if both walked down the street together.
But, there will be a literal separation. And the easiest way to separate the good from the bad is for the Lord to ask the good to leave. Those who will listen to the voice of the Lord will leave. The wicked, foolish, and not-so-faithful will laugh, mock, ignore, or justify why leaving is a bad idea.
If members of the church want the Lord to guide them, and to be apart of the separation--which is coming--repentance is key.
63 Wherefore, let the church repent of their sins, and I, the Lord, will own them; otherwise they shall be cut off.
Verse 64 is very relevant because there are so many who complain about those who share some, but not all, of their dreams, visions, or spiritual experiences. Most of those who share dreams and visions do so carefully, and try to seek the guidance of the Spirit before sharing anything.
64 Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit; and in this there is no condemnation, and ye receive the Spirit through prayer; wherefore, without this there remaineth condemnation.
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